A lift assembly includes an insert frame between the toolbar and a row unit on agricultural planter. The lift assembly frame includes an actuator which is extended and retracted to raise and lower a pair of arms engaging a crop shaft connected to the parallel link arms of the row unit, to thereby raise and lower the row unit between planting and non-planting positions. With one of the lift assemblies associated with each row unit, the row units can be selectively raised and lowered for varied planting operations.

A scraper assembly for a split gauge wheel of a planter row unit. The scraper assembly includes a scraper blade having a finger projection configured to extend downwardly into a gap between the inner and outer wheel members of the split gauge wheel. An inner scraper flange extends laterally inward from the finger projection and is disposed in proximity to a circumferential periphery of the inner wheel member. An outer scraper flange extends laterally outward from the finger projection and is disposed in proximity to a circumferential periphery of the outer wheel member. As the gauge wheel rotates, the inner and outer scraper flanges remove soil buildup on the circumferential periphery of the respective inner and outer wheel members and the finger projection removes soil buildup in the gap between the inner and outer wheel members.

A spacing adjustment mechanism of a depth gauge wheel assembly of a planting row unit of an agricultural implement includes a rod fixed on one side to a pivot assembly of the planting row unit, and on which a spindle with a threaded external face is mounted, the threaded external face interacts with a threaded inner face of a bearing of a support arm of a gauge wheel.

A gauge wheel (1) for use in controlling the depth of a furrow formed by at least one planting member of cultivation equipment includes a hub member (5) having a central hub and an outer peripheral portion (9); and a resilient coil member (3). The resilient coil member (3) includes a plurality of coil windings (17) which extend closely adjacent to the outer peripheral portion (9) of the hub member (5) and which define an outer periphery of the gauge wheel (1). The coil member (3) is connected at or adjacent one end thereof to the hub member (5). In use, the resilient coil member engages the soil on a side of the furrow and controls the depth by which the at least one planting member cuts into the soil to form the furrow. There is also provided a coulter gauge wheel which includes a coulter disc and at least one gauge wheel as described above.

An agricultural trench depth sensing system having a trench implement adapted to be disposed in a soil trench opened in a soil surface. In one embodiment an ultrasonic sensor detects a distance to an upper surface of said trench implement or a target disposed thereon. In another embodiment, said trench implement includes one or more fingers which rotate with respect to said trench implement to detect the soil surface relative to said trench implement. In another embodiment, said trench implement includes side sensors for detecting the sidewall of the soil trench.

This document discloses a row unit (2) for feeding granular material to the ground. The row unit has a seed furrow-opener, which has a seed furrow-opening arm (21) carrying a seed disc (22). The seed furrow-opening arm has a proximal portion, in which the seed furrow-opening arm is pivotable about a first geometrical axis (Rb) and a distal portion, to which the seed disc is rotatably attached. The row unit has a depth regulator, which has a depth-regulating arm (31) carrying a gauge wheel (32). The depth-regulating arm (31) is pivotable about a second geometrical axis (Ra) which is concentric with a centre of rotation for the seed disc. The row unit comprises a first adjusting device for setting the height of the gauge wheel (32) in relation to the seed disc (22). The first adjusting device comprises a lever (34), which is fixedly connected to the depth-regulating arm, a depth-regulating driver arm (36) pivotable at the first geometrical axis, and a control link (35), which connects distal portions of the lever (34) and the depth-regulating driver arm (36), so that the pivotal position of the lever is controllable by pivoting the depth-regulating driver arm. The document also discloses agricultural implements comprising such row units and methods for operating agricultural implements.

In one aspect, a system for providing downforce control includes a seeder including a plurality of row units. One or more actuators are operably coupled with the plurality of row units and configured to adjust a downforce of the plurality of row units. A sensor is configured to detect one or more seeding parameters. A computing system is configured to control the operation of the plurality of row units. The computing system is further configured to receive an input associated with a target depth range of the row unit into an underlying field, receive data related to one or more seeding parameters, receive data related to an actual seeding depth; generate a command signal based on a differential between the actual seeding depth and the target depth range; and generate a force command for the one or more actuators to adjust a downforce of the plurality of row units.

A ground-opening apparatus for an agricultural implement. The ground-opening apparatus comprises an opening disc for excavating a furrow in the ground, and a support assembly securing the opening disc to the agricultural implement. The support assembly comprises an upper bar, a lower bar, a forward bar, and a rearward bar. The upper bar and the lower bar extend generally in parallel relationship. The lower bar and the rearward bar are joined at a lower, rearward joint. A rotational axis of the opening disc extends through the lower, rearward joint of the support assembly.

An agricultural trench depth sensing system having a trench implement adapted to be disposed in a soil trench opened in a soil surface. In one embodiment an ultrasonic sensor detects a distance to an upper surface of said trench implement or a target disposed thereon. In another embodiment, said trench implement includes one or more fingers which rotate with respect to said trench implement to detect the soil surface relative to said trench implement. In another embodiment, said trench implement includes side sensors for detecting the sidewall of the soil trench.

An agricultural row unit includes a soil-engaging tool supported from a pivot arm. A sensor generates an output signal relating to an orientation of the pivot arm relative to a frame member. An actuator is configured to applying a down pressure on the soil-engaging tool. A control system in signal communication with the sensor is responsive to the generated output signal to effect a change in applied down pressure on the soil-engaging tool by the actuator. The soil-engaging tool may be a closing wheel or a flap. One or more additional sensors may be provided on gauge wheel arms of the row unit with the control system being responsive to output signals of the additional sensors to effect the change in applied down pressure on the soil-engaging tool by the actuator.